It is the first time that 74-year-old Gordon, who had garages in Dumfries and an association with the motor trade since 1953 before organising and founding the popular Moffat Classic Car Rally, has let his family collection of classic cars be used for TV.

He said: “I am a real fan of the show which pairs experts with a classic cars so they can go on a road trip in the UK to track down, buy and auction antiques to raise funds for charities.

“I am very protective of the cars and have turned offers down before. The programme is just right for showing 1960s and 70s convertibles at their best and I think it helps promote them.

“I still had to do a lot of soul-searching before I let them go.”

The vehicles were taken from their base near his Kirkton home and were used 10 weeks before Christmas.

While one was filmed in Scotland the other two went to southern England.

And the star of the five week series starting on February 13 looks set to be the Scottish leg from Buckie in Banffshire to auction in Ayr. The two experts were Charlie Ross and James Braxton and they made the trip in Gordon’s rare 1954 Sunbeam Talbot Alpine.

He said: “They were absolutely over the moon with it and said it was the best car they have ever had on the show. I bought it from its sole owner in Buckie and restored it in 2006. When I learned that the programme was going to be filmed in Buckie, it was an amazing coincidence.

“They invited the previous owner Mrs Wendy McLane to go and see it and she was delighted.

“Then the car became something of a celebrity. It set the heather on fire up there. It went into a car showroom owned by my friend Charles Macintosh for three weeks for the public to see!”

Gordon got the chance to meet the two experts when they went to auction in Ayr and it turned out to be a record-breaker.

Eagle-eyed expert Charles Ross bought a rare early 19th century Staffordshire elephant for £8 and it went on to raise £2,700 at auction – the most made on the show.

This leg will be broadcast from Monday, March 19, at 5.15pm.

The battle of brains, buying and banter usually includes one of the cars breaking down but Gordon’s thoroughly behaved themselves other than a wiper fuse blowing.

Gordon is chairman of the Scottish Rootes Enthusiasts, and Britain’s top two-day event for classic car fans. Moffat Classic Car rally – which he founded and organises – will mark its 15th birthday this June.